Grants & ScholarshipsOpen Applications

Hawaii Community Foundation invests charitable funds in communities across the State primarily through nonprofit organizations. Our core programs are designed to support a stronger nonprofit sector as we believe that these organizations are one cornerstone of a vibrant civic society.

We administer a number of grantmaking programs with targeted purposes or an island-based focus. Hawaii Community Foundation also assists several private foundations in delivering their grantmaking programs according to their specific strategies.

Our Competitive Grants

Each competitive grant program has its own funding priorities and proposal requirements. To find the funding sources that are most appropriate for your work, choose from one of the options below to begin your search.

Currently Accepting Application

Promising Minds InitiativeHCF has identified the wellbeing and development of our children under age five as a critical community issue at the heart of strengthening Hawai‘i’s communities. Early childhood development is a smart investment.

Sanford HarmonyBuilding Peace and Compassion Through Social and Emotional Learning. Online Application Deadline: Friday, March 8, 2019, 4:00 p.m. HST. Applications from Hawaii schools serving students from preschool through 6th grade are being considered for the Sanford Harmony Program under the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Pillars of Peace Hawaii initiative. Up to 15 schools will be considered for this first year.

Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist FoundationHawaii Community Foundation also administers several grantmaking programs for the Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation. The information regarding their application processes and deadlines can be found below:

For more information regarding private foundations and their available grantmaking please call (808) 566-5540 or email us at foundations@hcf-hawaii.org

Grant Applications Currently Closed

These grant applications are currently closed. Please check back periodically for updates on when they will be available.

Network Leadership and Social Change Hawaii Community Foundation is pleased to announce a new RFP aimed at supporting networks that are working to create positive social change for our community. Grants will range from $10,000 - $25,000 a year for 2 years, and should be used to support the operations of the network.

Career Connected Learning Grants to strengthen the alignment between the diverse and growing number of STEM learning programs and the specific needs of Hawaii’s STEM workforce in Hawaii County and Kauai County.

Community Restoration Partnership (CRP)This multi-year grant program provides support for on-the-ground lower watershed and coastal restoration projects in Hawai'i that involve community stewardship activities and focus on sustainable impacts and nearshore marine areas.

Family Literacy & Hawaii Pizza Hut LiteracyTo increase the access to and quality of literacy programs for Hawaii's residents. For Family Literacy Programs, the focus is on families with young children (ages 0-8) that focus on programs that increase the educational achievement of both children and adults to improve the family's economic status over time.

FLEX GrantsAccording to national surveys, nonprofit organizations rate unrestricted support as one of the most important actions funders can take to support their work and improve results. Unrestricted funds can provide nonprofits with funding to enhance their effectiveness and assist them with meeting ongoing operating expenses and unanticipated costs.

Fresh Water InitiativeThese grants support capacity building within nonprofit organizations to support and increase water conservation, recharge, and reuse.

Kūpuna Aging in Place Program for Elderly Services Formerly known as the Persons in Need (PIN) program, this multi-year grant program supports organizations that provide a range of supportive services including community-based support services, adult day care & adult day health, and caregiver support services for low-to moderate-income kūpuna (seniors) age 65 and older and their caregivers so that kūpuna in Hawaii are able to age in place

The Cecil “Guy” Marshall Fund The Marshall Fund seeks to support schools that have established or are working to establish the International Baccalaureate World School program (IB). The Fund also seeks to support school administrators or board members who are interested in learning more about the IB program for their school.